Monday, July 31, 2017

One

Yesterday, at the gym. (Now there is a statement that, at one time, I could not imagine myself saying.) Another disabled guy rolled in and scooted up the ramp. He stopped and introduced himself and I said that I was glad not to be the only wheelchair user there. He wholeheartedly agreed. I was working on one machine and he was working on another nearby. We began to chat.

As we both talked about why we were working out, we discussed primarily maintaining or improving the strength we have as disabled people to keep ourselves mobile and safe. Falling down and getting back up being a big one for him and rolling long distances without assistance being big for me. We further identified issues that were peculiar to each of us and our needs as disabled people.

The folks who are there running the gym are quick to give assistance and advice. They are helpful and friendly and surprisingly quite kind. (These were not things I was expecting.) I appreciate what they do. But this chat was different, it was nice to talk to someone else with a similar mobility disability, it was nice to talk about muscle groups that needed working and the importance of doing everything we can to maintain what we have.

His disability is different than mine, of course because all disability is idiosyncratic, and he can transfer onto the machines. It was cool to see the scooter sitting beside the machine, empty, waiting, like a service vehicle, for it's master's return. It was cool.

While we were there a couple came in, maybe in their 40's, she used a walker, they were there to tour the gym to see if it might work for them. The look of real happiness on her face as she stood at the top of the ramp and saw two other disabled people working out amongst all the rest, the young, the strong, the fit. I don't know if she thought that this was integration or inclusion or whatever, but I know she saw something that mattered, a place where she wouldn't be the only one.

2 comments:

there is certain thrill to that feeling of 'someone just like me" - as an adult we know it is more complex than that - but that satisfaction when the connection happens so effortlessly is wonderful when it happens.

i would guess that perhaps having positive social interactions at the gym makes it easier to keep going?

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Joe and I live in an apartment right smack dab in the center of Toronto. I have worked in the field of disability since graduating from university over 30 years ago. I became disabled a few years ago now and use a wheelchair when out in the world. For those interested, most of my books are available through www.diverse-city.com and if you are wishing to book a lecture or consultation you may do so by emailing daveandjoe@hotmail.com

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There are those who have affected the course of my work and my career. I wish to remember them here:

Stella Young

Manuela Dalla Nora

Bob Clayton

Viktor Frankl

Robert Sovner

Marsha Forrest

Terry Haslam

John Money

Susan Tough

Sol Gordon

Winnifred Kempton

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